All the favourites at Lorenzo's new place!
The Evening Chronicle - Eating Out - 11 th May 2007
For the past few years, San Lorenzo restaurant has been one of the highlights of the eateries along Gosforth High Street.
Now the chain has expanded to Cramlington where it has opened in the village area's Old Church .
Eating Out went along last weekend for a quick sample of what it had to offer just days before it opened to the public and we are pleased to say it looks set to maintain the high standards we have come to expect from the San Lorenzo team.
Alessandro Calista, the general manager at San Lorenzo Gosforth and the new Cramlington site, says: "Not only are we replicating our winning formula of mouth-watering traditional home-made Italian food with an honest and friendly service by opening a San Lorenzo in Cramlington, we've also opened a new bar below the restaurant taking full advantage of our expertise gained from owning venues such as Popolo (Newcastle) and Saltwater (Nottingham)."
All your Italian favourites are there, and the taster nights that we ventured to should have ironed out any rough edges.
First impressions A good space with a trendy bar at the front and full-blown Italiana behind.
Welcome Warm and attentive.
Style, design and furnishings Designer rustic plaster and brick, with bottles and amphora to underscore the point. Dark wood tables and chairs, simple settings and jolly music. Relaxed and friendly.
Cuisine I think you know by now.
Wine Marchesini 2006, a very young Pinot grigio that needed more chilling to show itself off in its best light.
Service The waiters' natural charm and easy style struck the right professional/personal balance.
Value Three courses, wine and coffee at £41.75 has to be good value.
Parking Pay and display parking behind the shops or you might be lucky on the side streets.
Disabled facilities Fully accessible.
Look out for a review of San Lorenzo in Eating Out in the coming weeks.
San Lorenzo Gosforth
The Evening Chronicle - Review by Mitya Underwood– 6 th April 2007
When my best friend rang me to say she needed a bit of TLC and a good feed, we were spoiled for choice. As it was only 6pm and we didn't want anywhere too swanky, dimmed lights and romantic music wasn't what we were after. So we had a wander along Gosforth High Street and stumbled across Italian restaurant San Lorenzo.
Formerly Made In Italy, it was taken over two years ago by Aquaclear Leisure, who have successfully turned it into a bustling, friendly, inexpensive eaterie. From past experience, I've found that arriving at a restaurant in the early evening isn't always looked upon favourably. Some places seem to want to hurry you along so all their tables are free for the evening rush. It's different if you have children in tow - at least you look like you have an excuse. But this wasn't the case in San Lorenzo . The staff couldn't have been more pleased to see us, and the place was already starting to fill up.
The decor is very typical of Italian restaurants, colourful with a distinct rustic feel. It feels warm, light and has a very friendly atmosphere. After settling down at our table, we delved into the wine list. There was a great selection of bottles, with prices and flavours to suit everybody. We bypassed the tempting champers and decided on a trusted bottle of rosé Pinot Grigio.
With a usual selection of starters including mussels and salads, we picked probably the two most filling starters available. I decided on the mozzarella Francese and my friend chose the spicy calamari fritti. She decided to be awkward and ask for her spicy starter to be served without the spice but this wasn't a problem at all.
And again, back to my theory of being on an early evening conveyor belt - the food wasn't on our table within seconds ready for us to wolf down and move on to a main, it arrived after 10 or so minutes and was presented beautifully.
The breaded mozzarella was an unusual but tasty twist on the normal mozzarella salad, and the non-spicy calamari went down a treat. By this time, we had drunk a few glasses of wine (I was empathising), and we were spoilt for choice on mains. There was pasta, pizza, fish, and chicken. I picked the ravioli funghi and my dinner date fancied the cannelloni ricotta. My ravioli, dressed with truffle oil, was gorgeous. Like the starters, the portions were perfectly sized and the flavour was intense. The cannelloni ricotta was just how it should be, creamy, hot and comforting.
Another of my bugbears in restaurants is over-enthusiastic waiters with poor and awkward banter. There wasn't a sniff of this in San Lorenzo . The staff were friendly yet professional, and not too in-your-face like some can be.
The bill came to a mere £36.85. Unbeknown to us, it was happy hour and £1 had been knocked off both mains. This was just an added bonus to a fabulous meal in a lovely restaurant - at any time of the day!
If the world's a stage, San Lorenzo is the star Feb 9 2007 By The Journal
The other night I was reminded of Shakespeare's description of the world as a stage and us lot as players strutting our stuff.
It was when I stepped off rain-lashed Gosforth High Street into San Lorenzo and was instantly transported to another world.
Moving through the under-lit cool of the bar, we entered a rustic Italian scene where a party was in full flow. A warm burble of conversation spun around the tables, lively music batted along in the background while waiters whisked back and forth, stopping only to deliver plates and offer extra pepper from one of those comedy mills.
We were given a table in the heart of the goings on, with bread and a bottle of wine to start things off. The menu carried a myriad of pizza-pasta dishes with every combination under the sun on offer and very reasonably priced, which went some way towards explaining why, even on this mid-week night, the place was buzzing.
We scampered past these and other temptations until I spotted one of my favourites, Gamberoni Provenciale. My companion was gazing across the room at the specials blackboard, one of the many advantages of long-sight, and had chosen a chicken main course and spiced aubergine soup with red pepper cream to start. Not having such gifts, I was happy to choose my starter of Funghi All'Aglio from the menu before me.
A glass of almost chilled pinot grigio filled the short space before our first courses arrived.
My bowlful of mushrooms, laced with mild garlicky butter that was made for the bread, was a meal in itself. Taking care to leave space for the prawns, I sampled just enough to get the full experience without the full feeling.
After a while, I wished there had been a mix of mushrooms because, to be honest, one button mushroom tastes pretty much like the next and a few shitake or porcini would have added interest.
My companion's soup was an unusual idea. The glossy purple aubergine had been transformed into a dark, pulpy broth zigzagged with coral coloured cream. She wasn't entirely happy with this over-peppered version of one of her top vegetables, but it was worth trying just to see if it worked.
Our main courses raised the game. My hefty prawns in gentle tomato sauce curled round sticky Arborio rice and the finger licking that followed made sure every last scrap was history. My companion's moist chargrilled chicken breast with wild mushroom and parmesan polenta brought a host of Mediterranean flavours together.
Desserts of duo of chocolate mousse and tiramisu rounded off the meal on an intensely sweet note. The party was still in full swing as we took our courage in both hands and braved the elements on our way home.
Aquaclear focuses on tripling its size Dec 12 2006 By Graeme King, The Journal
Bar and restaurant operator Aquaclear is set to triple in size, and is already working on schemes in Sheffield and Cramlington.
The Wearside company is aiming to grow its estate from six outlets to 20 over the next three years.
Aquaclear, best known for its Blue Coyote and San Lorenzo restaurants in Newcastle , bought Popolo bar from the Gusto Group in February this year with the aim of opening a chain of outlets across the North.
Now operations director Stuart Young has revealed Aquaclear has signed a lease for a new Popolo in Sheffield, and is also looking to open more sites in two of three cities - Leeds, Nottingham and Liverpool .
Meanwhile, closer to home in Cramlington, Aquaclear is to extend its former Capella restaurant in the centre of the town into a new bar and restaurant.
Mr Young said: "We currently trade from six outlets, and over the next two to three years, we will take that to 20. The directors are very focused on growing the company to have quite a reasonable presence in the North-East and beyond."
Mr Young said the new Popolo in Sheffield would involve a £750,000 investment and create up to 40 jobs.
"We have signed an agreement for premises in Sheffield in the new Leopold Square leisure development - there will be bars, restaurants and a hotel there.
"We are in the process of raising some capital for that, as it is quite a big development for us as a company to create.
"It will be a two-floor unit, with the upper floor as a restaurant and the ground floor as a Popolo bar."
Mr Young said the new site would have dedicated outside areas ready for when the England and Wales smoking ban begins, and Aquaclear was focused on this aspect of its business right across the country.
Refurbishment work in Cramlington was also set to go ahead after Aquaclear won through on a planning appeal for the Capella site. The restaurant there will be run under the San Lorenzo brand which Aquaclear already operates in Gosforth, and the bar will also have an Italian theme.
Mr Young said: "We will start work at the turn of the year to create a new Italian restaurant and bar. We have acquired new premises adjacent to Capella to extend the site."
The whole development will cost £350,000, and staff numbers will go from six now to 30 after the refurbishment.
Aquaclear is also building an extension to its Ristorante Fiume and River Bar operation in Washington , which is due to open in the spring.
Ideal for a lunch treat Mar 24 2006 By Gordon Barr, The Evening Chronicle
SAN LORENZO, High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle
A bustling eaterie, open on Mother's Day from 1pm right through the day, and it is advisable to book a table. The restaurant has a rustic feel to it, and the food is Italian-based, inexpensive yet good quality and there's a great selection to choose from. The menu boasts an array of pizzas and pastas, as well as poultry, meat and fish main courses, the latter being a little pricier, but thoroughly tempting. If the food is good the service has to be on a par, and here San Lorenzo excels itself.
Aquaclear has 90 new jobs on menu Mar 17 2005 By Rebekah Ashby, The Journal
A fast-growing leisure company behind several popular North-East restaurants is to create up to 90 new jobs as it continues its acquisition trail.
Aquaclear, which owns Newcastle 's Blue Coyote and Ristorante Fiume, the River Bar in Washington and Capellas in Cramlington, has snapped up Pizzunzi on Gosforth High Street , Newcastle .
The Washington-based company, which also operates the award-winning Saltwater bar and restaurant in Nottingham, says it is also close to completing deals on two Teesside restaurants, creating up to 60 jobs.
Aquaclear has invested £200,000 in the Gosforth restaurant, which it has re-named San Lorenzo , and taken on several key staff from the former Al Forno restaurant in Jesmond.
Operations manager Stuart Young said: "We looked at buying the Gosforth one when it was Made In Italy about two years ago but we weren't successful at that time.
"We have kept a watchful eye on it because we always believed we could do something here so when we heard the owners were looking at disposing of it we made them an offer.
"We have re-done the bar area, changed the name, the tables are coming over from Italy and we are re-decorating it to make it more warm and welcoming.
"Al Forno's in Jesmond closed last year and we have brought most of the team together from there. The old owner is our general manager here and lots of the regulars from Jesmond have heard we are up and running and have found us already."
Aquaclear says it is in the advanced stages regarding a site in Teesside which it intends to open this autumn and another one which it plans to launch in 2006.
Mr Young says: "We can't give exact details on these yet but the ink is almost dry and we are very excited about them. "We think Teesside is a good next step and both of these restaurants will create another 20 to 30 jobs each." The company, which employs five head office staff, is lodging an appeal against a planning decision for an extension at its Cramlington site.
"It's disappointing that we were refused planning consent for a first floor extension because we wanted that to house separate toilets, rather than sharing with the bar below," said Mr Young. "The restaurant has never been opened and we are not interested in opening it until we can get it right."
It is also ploughing a further £200,000 into its Washington River Bar in a bid to keep up with demand, build a balcony on the side of the restaurant and create another 10 jobs. He said: "We are limited by size and are having to turn away a tremendous amount of customers at the weekend so we need to be a little larger and improve the kitchen facilities.
"We are always keen to look at any opportunities that come our way and have bought a number of sites out of receivership so that's becoming something of a speciality."
Quick bites Apr 1 2005 By The Journal
A Tyneside restaurant is to get new life breathed into it after being taken over by Aquaclear Leisure Ltd, which owns the Blue Coyote bar and restaurant in Newcastle and the River Bar and Ristorante Fiume in Washington.
The former Pizzunzi restaurant on Gosforth High Street has been renamed San Lorenzo and given a new menu.
Typical offerings include Funghi Dolcette - blue cheese stuffed mushrooms with a ripped leaf and apple salad or Carpaccio di Manzo - fine sliced beef with rocket leaves, parmesan and chef's own dressing - for starters with a wide and imaginative range of main courses.
These vary from pizzas, dishes such as Pollo Cajun - blackened chicken, sundried peppers and tomatoes topped with Caesar salad and parmesan, to Saltimbocca - escalopes of veal with Parma ham and sage.
The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and offers a three-course lunch special for £6.50 or £1 pizza and pasta at both lunchtimes and before 7pm.
Leisure outfit growing in style Apr 13 2004 By The Journal
A thriving leisure company is expanding out of the North-East after acquiring an award-winning restaurant and bar.
Aquaclear Limited, which owns Newcastle 's Blue Coyote restaurant and Washington 's Ristorante Fiume and the River Bar, has taken over Saltwater bar and restaurant in Nottingham 's Corner House development.
Saltwater scooped the accolade of Best New Restaurant for the Midlands and Wales in the restaurant industry's recent Theme Awards and Best New Restaurant in Nottingham at the Restaurant Awards.
Aquaclear plans to develop the site further by refurbishing the bar and introducing an extensive cocktail list.
Stuart Young, operations manager, said: "To be expanding outside of the North-East is a huge achievement for the company and we are looking forward to the challenge it presents."
The company recently appointed a new financial director, Kim Race, as it continues its expansion.
Ristorante Fiume Sep 17 2004 By The Evening Chronicle
Fiume is Italian for river. An apt name, then, for this bustling Italian restaurant which sits proudly on the banks of the Wear.
It was recommended to me by a friend I was meeting for a business lunch - and for more than a wee bit of gossip. "It's well worth leaving the city for," she persuaded me, so off we drove to Fatfield, an area I'm not that familiar with, but to which I shall be returning on the strength of this lunch alone.
It was nearly 1pm, and I had been warned the restaurant would be busy. It was so-so when we arrived, and heaving by the time we left. It seems people travel from all over to spend time at the Fiume .
Downstairs it's a wine bar, with new outdoor decking for when the sun decides to shine. Upstairs is the restaurant, which is tastefully decorated in Mediterranean colours. There are lunchtime specials, but we decided to go for the full choices on the main menu.
What sets Fiume apart from many Italian restaurants is the variety of meals on offer. You have your usual fare, but it is bolstered by the likes of frittata di mare - scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and prawns - or how about Maltese pasta (prawns, curry powder, spinach, garlic and cream)?
I was very nearly tempted by the latter, but the pair of us are watching our waistlines, so decided best not. Instead we both plumped for salads for starters. I say salads, but there was enough here for a full lunch.
My insalata di mare (£5.50) was packed with fresh tuna and salmon, greenlip mussels, prawns and squid. There were chunks of tuna, and all the seafood was served on a hefty bed of salad. It was exquisite.
Even more beautifully presented was the insalata tricolore (£4.50), with its tomatoes, mozzarella and avocado. "My god," was the reaction when the dish arrived. But she managed to finish the lot with a big grin on her face.
For main courses we kept it simple. Pasta please, penne with both, and alla eleonora (£5.75) for me and primavera (£5.20) for her. My dish sounded simple - courgettes, pine nuts, garlic and fresh basil with a touch of olive oil - and it tasted anything but. The flavours just melted into one another, and the pasta was oiled perfectly.
My pal's pasta was equally gorgeous. The cream sauce had a rich tomato taste, but what set the dish apart was the range and quantity of the roast vegetables mixed into it.
Staff were attentive and friendly. And look out for Kenny, a waiter acquaintance of old, who is as spot-on with his service as I'd remembered. I'd advise you to book as it was jam-packed by the time we left.
As I said, Fiume means river, and this restaurant is positively over-flowing with all things a good Italian should be.
Eating out: Fiume May 23 2003 By Neil Mckay, The Journal
A popular tv commercial shows an elderly customer bemoaning the fact that her High Street bank has been turned into a "trendy wine bar".
On the bank of the River Wear at Fatfield , Washington , that is the fate that has befallen an old Chester-le-Street and District Co-op store.
Downstairs is a bustling wine bar while upstairs is Fiume , an equally popular Italian restaurant.
The Friday night we visited Fiume it was packed, but the busy staff neglected nobody.
An eighteenth birthday party - we could tell by the balloons proclaiming the fact - was in full swing at nearby tables, although judging by the age of some of the diners, it was obviously a family affair with parents and grandparents in attendance.
The restaurant occupies an attractive position overlooking the river in the old part of Fatfield, a former colliery village long since swallowed up by Washington New Town.
We decided to visit after a recommendation from a friend, and finding Fiume was relatively straightforward, given the maze which constitutes Washington .
Only one wrong turn, a quick stop to ask a helpful local directions, and we were there.
We were certainly not disappointed when we arrived. Upstairs past the doormen standing guard outside the wine bar, and we were into the restaurant, which is decorated in the usual Italian style with subdued lighting and candles on the table.
The greeting was friendly and we were led straight to our table, although booking in advance, as we did, is recommended.
For starters my partner ordered mozarella panato e fritto, which was translated into breadcrumbed baby mozzarella, deep fried, and which she said was wonderful. I had the fresh mussels in wine, garlic, tomato and parsley served with garlic bread.
The garlic was certainly strong, as a pal remarked the following day! But the taste, nevertheless, was delicious.
The main menu consisted of the usual choices of pasta or pizza, as well as more ambitious dishes, such as Spedino Misto, a mixed kebab of marinated beef and chicken with roasted vegetables, served on a bed of rice with tomato and mild chilli sauce.
There was also Angiello de Taverna, sautéed lamb fillet with tarragon, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and white wine, all very exotic.
For the main course the better half had smoked salmon pizza with red onions and cream cheese, a dish she is fond of on holidays in France, and which she pronounced as almost as tasty as that in Normandy.
I chose the Polpettoni, described as Italian style meatballs in spaghetti. To be honest, the meat was rather tough, but the lively atmosphere dispelled any sense of dissatisfaction.
We skipped the dessert but had a vanilla latte coffee each, which was as refreshing as the menu described it. ith a bottle of the house rosé, the bill came to just over £31 for two. Un-beatable value.
As we left, more customers were queuing to take our place, proving what a popular attraction Fiume must be.
Venue's Latin flavour Apr 4 2003 – By Gordon Barr , The Evening Chronicle
A leading leisure company is bringing a taste of South America to Newcastle with plans to open a Latin-flavoured bar and grill in the city.
Aquaclear, which runs the River Bar and Ristorante Fiume restaurant at Washington , is opening Blue Coyote at Pilgrim Street next month in the former Mexican restaurant One Eyed Jacks.
The £200,000 project will bring together Argentinean, Mediterranean and North African cuisine under one roof with a 100-seater restaurant and an elegant cocktail bar which will serve snacks and tapas.
"Our plan is to create a smart, laid back, late night bar and restaurant where people will be able to have everything from drinks to a meal, from snacks to a coffee into the early hours," says Aquaclear managing director Joe Peel.
"We are going to offer an informal drinking and dining venue which will be more cosmopolitan and continental in style. While Newcastle has many great places, we feel this is the kind of venue the city is lacking in."
